Presiding over a workshop organised by Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission (HPPEIRC) here, he said the grievances of teachers should also be covered under the regulatory commission especially in respect of proper recruitment of faculty as per UGC norms (eligibility and subject specialisation), payment of proper salary and other benefits.

Besides, security of employees should be accorded top priority, he said. Pointing out that Himachal Pradesh was the first state to appoint a regulatory commission for private educational institutions imparting higher education, Singh said it has played an important role in improving the standard of education in private educational institutions, ensuring transparency, enforcing statutory provisions and academic regulations.

Private universities should strictly adhere to the norms prescribed by the University Grants Commission, he added. He said besides exercising a strict control over the private educational institutions, the commission had ensured merit-based admissions in all private universities, givingjustice to students and as a consequence the institutions were now following a uniform academic calendar as per the UGC norms.

The chief minister announced the launch of "Mukhya Mantri Gyandeep Yojna" and expressed hope that the scheme would encourage more students to pursue higher education and go a long way in achieving the goal of 36 per cent enrolment in the same by 2022.